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Follow these climbers on an impossible 3,500m wall

David Lama is to attempt the most challenging climb of his life – Masherbrum’s towering NE face.

By Tarquin Cooper on 13 June 2014

It has beaten off some of the best and toughest climbers in the world. But the as yet unclimbed northeast face of Masherbrum is to receive some fresh visitors this summer – David Lama, Peter Ortner and Hansjoerg Auer.

The trio will attempt the 3,500m wall of rock and ice that was previously described as 'impossible' by a team of Russian climbers known for their toughness and ability to suffer.

Says David: “The first time I stood in front of Masherbrum, I knew I had found what I was looking for – a wall so incredibly huge and difficult, you are tempted to believe it is impossible to overcome.

“This project will certainly demand all of our collective alpinist experience as well as superb technical climbing skills.”

There is hardly any other mountain that can match the beauty of Masherbrum.

The team consists of Lama, his long-time partner Ortner and the Austrian Auer, who's known for his big wall solo exploits in the Dolomites. “I have always dreamed of this mountain,” he tells us.

“For me, there is hardly any other mountain that can match the beauty of Masherbrum. The unclimbed northeast face is without a doubt one of the toughest challenges the Karakorum has to offer. We are all aware that in order to be successful here everything has to be perfect and come together at the right time: the weather, the conditions and of course our own fitness.”

Masherbrum's 7,821m summit make it the 22nd highest mountain in the world and the 9th highest in the Karakorum Range. Including its first ascent in 1960, the peak has only been reached four times in total. Will Lama and team make it a fifth? Stay tuned for the latest updates on the expedition.

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